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Jake Irvin SP | WAS
Nationals' Jake Irvin: Yields three runs in no-decision
Irvin did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.
Irvin cruised through the first two innings of his start with three strikeouts while facing the minimum six batters. However, the Reds lineup broke through to post three runs on six hits over his final three innings. Irvin allowed plenty of hard contact, as all batted balls in the fourth and fifth innings were over 95 mph. However, he should be a mainstay in the Nationals rotation after making 24 starts for the team in 2023. Irvin's next outing is scheduled to be against the Phillies on the road.
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Emmet Sheehan SP | LAD
Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan: Moves to 60-day IL
The Dodgers transferred Sheehan (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Sheehan's move to the 60-day IL created a spot on the team's 40-man roster for Nabil Crismatt, whose contract was selected from Triple-A. The right-hander will now be sidelined until at least May 18 as he continues to work his way back from right forearm inflammation.
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Brady Singer SP | CIN
Royals' Brady Singer: Electric in season debut
Singer (1-0) earned the win after he pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out 10 batters in Sunday's 11-0 victory over the Twins.
Singer was in full command in his season debut, throwing 64 of his 98 total pitches for strikes while matching his 2023 season-high 10 punchouts. The right-hander has shown flashes throughout his first four major-league campaigns and is off to a great start in 2024. He's tentatively set to return to the mound Friday at home versus the White Sox.
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Colin Rea SP | CHC
Brewers' Colin Rea: Notches win in season debut
Rea (1-0) earned the win Sunday against the Mets after he allowed one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out two.
The right-hander wasn't particularly dominant as he generated just eight swinging strikes on 84 pitches, but he limited the damage by holding New York to just one extra-base hit. Rea was effective as a swingman last season with a 4.55 ERA, 1.19 and 110:38 K:BB across 124.2 innings, and he's opened 2024 with a more secure spot in the rotation. A matchup with the Mariners awaits next weekend.
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Ranger Suarez SP | BOS
Phillies' Ranger Suarez: Tallies seven strikeouts
Suarez did not factor into the decision Sunday against Atlanta, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over five innings. He struck out seven.
Suarez faced a daunting task in opening his season against an Atlanta lineup that was best in the league last year against left-handed pitching (131 wRC+). He held his own and punched out seven Atlanta batters despite allowing a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Suarez faces a much more manageable lineup in his next start, scheduled to be against the Nationals on the road.
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Chris Sale SP | ATL
Braves' Chris Sale: Strikes out seven in no-decision
Sale did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
Sale looked like his typical self Sunday, throwing 83 pitches over 5.1 innings in his Atlanta debut. The 35-year-old appears to be fully healthy, as he averaged 94.9-mph on his fastball, up one full tick from his average velocity in 2023. He also had some extra juice on his infamous sidewinding slider, generating a 79.4-mph average velocity, up from 77.8-mph in 2023. The only blemish on the Atlanta lefty's afternoon came via a leadoff homer in the first inning surrendered to Kyle Schwarber. Sale's next start is slated to be against Arizona at home.
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Tyler Wells RP | TB
Orioles' Tyler Wells: Punches out seven in loss
Wells (0-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks over six innings against the Angels. He struck out seven.
Wells had a shaky start Sunday after allowing a two-run homer to Taylor Ward in the first inning and yielding two more runs (one unearned) in the second. However, the Orioles pitcher was able to settle in and finished his outing with four straight scoreless innings and earned a quality start. Wells looks to be a dependable starter after producing a 3.64 ERA over 118.2 innings in 2023 and leaving spring training this year with a 1.26 ERA over 14.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to be against the Pirates on the road.
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Reid Detmers SP | LAA
Angels' Reid Detmers: Fans seven in victory
Detmers (1-0) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run, two hits and three walks over five innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.
After the Orioles bludgeoned the Angels pitching staff for 24 runs over the first two games, Detmers stopped the bleeding with his first win of the season in a brilliant outing. He relied heavily on his fastball, throwing it 60.2 percent of the time and generating 12 whiffs against the vaunted Orioles lineup. Detmers managed to generate 24 strikeouts over 18.1 innings in spring training, so it's possible the former 10th overall pick is finding a new level. He is scheduled to face another AL East foe, the Red Sox, at home for his next start.
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Chris Flexen RP | CHC
White Sox's Chris Flexen: Making season debut Monday
Flexen is scheduled to start Monday against Atlanta at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Between stops in Seattle and Colorado last season, Flexen turned in a 6.86 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 7.7 K-BB% across 102.1 innings. Despite those poor numbers, Flexen looks like he'll have plenty of leash in the White Sox rotation to begin the season, given the lack of attractive alternatives on the 40-man roster and on the farm. He'll tentatively line up for a two-start week with a more favorable outing on tap this weekend in pitcher-friendly Kansas City, but the upcoming start against a powerful Atlanta offense should be reason enough for fantasy managers to steer clear of Flexen in avoidance of ratio damage.
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Dakota Hudson SP | LAA
Rockies' Dakota Hudson: Making first start Monday
Hudson is listed as the Rockies' probable starting pitcher for Monday's series opener in Chicago versus the Cubs.
Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal in January after being non-tendered by the Cardinals earlier in the offseason, Hudson was able to secure a spot in Colorado's Opening Day rotation, though he didn't face much in the way of quality competition for a spot. He was solid if unspectacular over his five Cactus League starts, posting a 4.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB in 15 innings in mostly hitter-friendly venues in Arizona. Hudson's career-long 55.1 percent groundball rate could set him up for more success in the high altitude of Colorado than a typical power pitcher, but he was never a major ERA or WHIP asset during parts of six big-league seasons in St. Louis. The 29-year-old should be viewed mostly as an NL-only option, and a low-upside one at that given the weak ratios he's posted throughout his career.